Bolt d’Oro has first work in prep for San Felipe Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Bolt d’Oro, a two-time Grade 1 winner in 2017, had his first workout of the year at Santa Anita on Saturday, the start of preparation for a 3-year-old campaign scheduled to begin with the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 10.

Bolt d’Oro worked three furlongs in 36.80 seconds, and galloped-out with interest around the first turn. Jockey Corey Nakatani, who rode Bolt d’Oro in all four of his starts in 2017, was aboard.

Bolt d’Oro worked alone. Nakatani positioned Bolt d’Oro off the rail entering the stretch. Santa Anita clockers timed Bolt d'Oro galloping-out a half-mile in 49.80 seconds.

“I thought it was incredible, in my eyes,” owner and trainer Mick Ruis said. “We know he’s not a sprinter.”

Ruis hoped to start Bolt d’Oro in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs Feb. 10, but concern over the colt’s physical condition has led to a rearranged scheduled. In late December, Bolt d’Oro was diagnosed with a pulled muscle that kept him out of training for more than a week.

Ruis said Saturday that Bolt d’Oro has been eager for more activity than galloping and jogging in recent days.

“He’s been wanting it bad,” Ruis said. “We’ll get through this week and see how he’s going for next week when he goes a half.”

Ruis co-owns Bolt d’Oro with his wife Wendy. Bolt d’Oro has won 3 of 4 starts and earned $576,000. He won the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs on Sept. 4 and the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 30, before finishing third after a wide trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

Bolt d’Oro was a finalist for the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding 2-year-old of 2017, but lost the award to Good Magic, who won the BC Juvenile. The loss left Ruis furious, and hopeful that Bolt d’Oro can thrive this year.

“We have to let him show what he’s got,” Ruis said. “We think he’s the best.”

Ruis said there is ample time to have Bolt d’Oro ready for the San Felipe, a key prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

“I didn’t think we’re playing catch-up,” Ruis said. “He’s bred to go longer. We saw that in the FrontRunner. He ran a mile and a quarter in the Breeders’ Cup.”

There was one champion on the track at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. Unique Bella, the outstanding female sprinter of 2017, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 for the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 10.

Unique Bella won the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs Dec. 26.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer described Unique Bella’s workout as “very comfortable.”